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KMT nominates Ma as its Taipei mayoral candidate

KMT Chairman Lien Chan, right, holds up Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou's hand after announcing Ma's nomination as the party's candidate in the upcoming mayoral race. PHOTO: CHU YU-PIN, TAIPEI TIMES

The KMT officially nominated Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) yesterday for re-election as Taipei mayor.

But while citing Ma's "remarkable" performance over the past three years, party Chairman Lien Chan (連戰) also warned Ma to prepare for a tough challenge from the DPP.

"Mayor Ma has to be very mindful and cope with the campaign with composure, because he's facing a rival with huge administrative resources under its control," Lien said.

For example, there's the recent dispute over funding for flood-prevention projects along the Keelung River, Lien said.

The DPP-ruled central government left Taipei out of funding plans in an effort to thwart Ma's re-election bid, the KMT party chairman said.

On Ma's accomplishments, Lien noted that the mayor's approval rating shot up from 50 percent to 70 percent after one year in office.

"Ma didn't win credit by chance, but through hard work," Lien said.

Lien said the mayor hopes to develop Taipei into an international metropolis emphasizing culture, justice, stability and democracy and is close to achieving those goals.

Taipei also has the third lowest unemployment rate among 23 localities in Taiwan and the lowest crime rate, Lien noted.

Meanwhile, Ma said the city government has raised the quality of life in Taipei over the past three years by improving the Mass Rapid Transit System, adding to the city's Internet infrastructure and reducing garbage volumes through recycling measures.

Ma said under his leadership, the city has established a "new Taipei spirit," in which differences are resolved through patient communication with the people.

Ma pledged to continue his efforts to make Taipei into a world-class capital city in his second term and set a new example for Taiwan's democratic culture in the mayoral campaign.

To this end, Ma urged his rival, Lee Ying-yuan (李應元) from the DPP, to engage in a gentleman-like competition with him.

Lee yesterday congratulated Ma for obtaining the party's nomination, saying he expects a campaign of high quality.

The KMT is cooperating with the PFP in the Taipei and Kaohsiung mayoral races, and Ma has obtained the PFP's endorsement for his re-election bid.

The two parties, however, have not been able to decide on a joint candidate for Kaohsiung.
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